Obs. or arch. Also 4 chiltyng, chiltting, Sc. childyne. [f. CHILD v. + -ING1.] Child-bearing, parturition, delivery.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 11021. Elizabeth … was … noght far fra childing.
c. 1400. Prymer, in Maskell, Mon. Rit., II. 40. In childynge of the unwemmed vyrgyn.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 205. A woman hade vij. childer at oon childenge.
1597. Gerard, Herbal, I. xxi. 27. The throwes … that women haue in their childing.
1748. trans. R. Mead’s Influence Sun & Moon, ii. 42. Women who stop’d childing early.
attrib. 1655. trans. Sorel’s Com. Hist. Francion, IX. 22. Her childing throws did begin to grow … and she was delivered of a goodly Boy.
